The Pullman Carriage - A Brief History

The Pullman Train Carriage - A Brief History

Converted into a wonderful Restaurant Car without losing any of its original character, this historic Pullman train carriage had been residing at Elsenham Station in Hertfordshire, England, before joining the many and varied facilities already available at Glenlo Abbey Hotel Galway.

Located just behind our golf courses First Tee, it overlooks the old Clifden – Galway Railway Line which passed through the estate until its removal in 1935. The Pullman has experienced a very varied life. Built in 1927, its routes included the Monaco/Istanbul/St. Petersburg runs, and also the Brighton run.

This latter brought theatrical personages from Brighton to London, when they were starring in London’s West End. One of these celebrated people was Sir Laurence Olivier, who was very fond of the Pullman and was, in fact, an outspoken objector, when a decision was made to remove all Pullman Carriages from the line in 1963. This is not the Pullman’s only claim to fame, however. In 1974, it played a starring role in the Agatha Christie film “Murder on the Orient Express”. That never to be forgotten movie, directed by Sidney Lumet, featured a host of Greats, including Albert Finney, Ingrid Bergman, Sean Connery, Vanessa Redgrave, Lauren Bacall and others.

Another interesting part of the Pullman’s life occurred during World War II, when it was used by Sir Winston Churchill and his family. Its final run was on January 30, 1965, when it carried Sir Winston’s remains and his funeral cortége back to the Village of Bladon, close to his ancestral home, Blenheim Palace, where he is buried.